ABSTRACT
On Lok Senior Health Services of San Francisco, a nationally recognized innovator in long-term care, enables frail elderly persons who are certified for nursing home care to remain in their community for as long as possible. On Lok staff begin collaborating with families at intake, supplementing their care and relieving some of the stress of care-providing. Family involvement is assessed to ascertain the amount of support or burnout by various family members. On Lok also helps the family by helping the participant articulate how much intervention is desired in the event of a health crisis. Given the frailty of On Lok’s population, a health crisis is inevitable for virtually every participant. Establishing health wishes is a process at On Lok—a dialogue between the healthcare provider, the participant, and the family. On Lok’s approach helps prepare each family to survive the chronic disease process experienced by their relative, including crises of life and death, as positively as possible.
